“We have too much fun to call it work!”
Dr. Helen Wicki-Nadler
The People
Dr. Helen Wicki-Nadler has been a veterinarian since 1987, after graduating from l’Université de Montréal. Before joining Dr. Gil Plummer’s practice in 1989 at the Nobleton Veterinary Clinic, which had initially opened in 1972, Dr. Wicki had practised veterinary medicine in the States. It was at this time she moved into the King area. Her family includes her husband, who daughters, and a variety of critters: an Irish wolfhound, a geriatric Labrador, a feisty little Frenchie, a white pet turkey, and seven hens. “If it’s broken, I take it home!” (Dr. Helen Wicki-Nadler) Having grown up with pets of every sort, it is a natural thing to do.
Dr. Wicki has a passion for unique destination travel and hiking, and she enjoys sharing travel adventures with others. She has a strong commitment to volunteerism: participating in the Meals-on-Wheels programme for Kleinburg, Bolton and King for over 11 years; giving time to a 12-year-old boy through the Big Brothers and Sisters of Peel; and offering her services to the Vaughan Animal Shelter and to the Veterinary Outreach programme.
The practice operates with a very qualified and dedicated team. Dr. Jayme Harvery-Micay graduated in 1999 from Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon. She worked as a large and small animal veterinarian in Manitoba and then as an equine veterinarian in California. She moved to Ontario in 2005, joining the Nobleton Veterinary Clinic as the associate veterinarian. Jayme also has an equine practice focusing on dentistry.
Kevin Grew is the Office Manager and has been with the Clinic for the past 10 years. There are four registered Veterinary Technicians on staff at the clinic. Shari Biship is the recipient of an award for providing excellent care as an RVT. She has worked with Dr. Wicki for the past seven years, and also helps her in the Veterinary Outreach programme, providing care to animals through the Yonge Street Mission. Tania Savoia, a local resident, graduated in 1995 and has been with the clinic for the past six years. She has completed several continuing education courses in the field of small animal dentistry. Rebecca Dermott graduated from St. Lawrence College in 2009 and has been with the practice since then. Kelsey Weening is the most current addition to the team. She began working with the clinic through the high school co-op programme in 2009 and rejoined the staff after graduating from St. Lawrence College in May of 2013.
Clients vary in every way. Some are now second generation. It was a very smooth transition for those clients who originally brought their pets to Dr. Plumber to continue to see Dr. Wicki. Most new clients come through referral. The ‘patients’ number approximately 65% dogs and 35% cats. Statistically, cat owners are less likely to bring their cat to the vet unless there is a serious problem; as cats tend to be more reticent and suspicious when put into a vehicle.
The Product
The appointment book is computerized, which allows for optimum efficiency in scheduling appointments and in sending out reminders for annual check-ups. Appointments are made to accommodate the request of the clients, as much as possible.
Emergencies are accepted during regular hours, with emergency care also accessible with a phone call. A veterinarian and an RVT, who are trained in urgent care, are on duty 6 days a week. The emergency team consists of at least one veterinarian and several technicians working together to save a pet’s life.
In addition to medicine and surgery, Ultrasound, Dental Xray, Reproductive Services, OFA Certification, and Nutritional Counselling are offered. Mentoring and education about one’s pet are also available. Service and products are customized to suit both the pet and the pet owner. Referrals to specialists are provided when needed.
For more than 20 years, a Newmarket couple continue to bring their fostered retrievers to the Nobleton Veterinary Clinic because of the excellent care the dogs receive.
The Performance
Dr. Wicki’s dedication to her professional goals was clear when she took over the Nobleton Veterinary Clinic (2007) and bought the current location on Highway 27 in Nobleton. She learned a great deal as she went through the process to rezone from residential to commercial in order to comply with appropriate permitting to run her business, to take the necessary steps to allow for appropriate parking, and to ensure that renovations were done in compliance with existing permitted uses. Accessibility was designed with input from Bev Berger, a long-time Nobleton resident and spokesperson for accessibility. Throughout the transition process of moving the Nobleton Veterinary Clinic from King Road to the Highway 27 location, clients still received quality services without interruption.
The atmosphere of the clinic is comfortable and neighborly. Staff is knowledgeable, caring, competent and professional. There is great attention to detail, down to the gardening, which is managed by Helen’s mother.
Dr. Wicki supports the community in a number of ways: membership in the King Chamber of Commerce, the Nobleton Lions Guide Dog Walk on Victoria Day each year, and donations to the King Fire Department of oxygen masks for pets.
Data shows that pet owners live longer, have more active lives, and stay in their homes longer. The Nobleton Veterinary Clinic website was created, not only to provide information about the clinic, but also to educate the public about pet ownership and of the importance of pets to the well-being of their owners.
